Automatic fire check



June 29, 1937.

W. H. VAN HORN AUTOMATIC FIRE CHECK Filed June 2, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l "L iw ma E IM/vernici) Van/ 707m June 29, 1937. w. H. VAN HRN AUTOMATIC FIRE CHECK Filed June 2, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 12 June 29, 1937. w H, VAN HORN 2,085,485r

AUTOMATIC FIRE CHECK 'SWW/who@ @ml fm 4 www Patented June 29, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFIQE AUTOMATIC FIRE CHECK Application June 2, 1933, Serial No. 674,082 In Great Britain June 8, 1932 8 Claims.

V'lhe invention forming the subject matter of the present application, which is a continuationin-part of application Serial No. 553,225, lled July 25, 1931, relates to Improvements inv automatic' re checks, and is designed primarily for installation in a pipe line or main which conveys gaseous fuel from the point of generating or mixing to the point of consumption or burning.

Apparatus for the same general purpose, namely, preventing flame or igniting temperatures from returning through a pipe line to the source of supply of combustible fuel have been heretofore proposed, but the earlier constructions have all been more or less objectionable. In numerous prior devices of this type now in use, the mechanism which normally holds the valve open or certain elements of this mechanism are arranged exteriorly of the casing of the device and if a high temperature or explosion occurs within` the device, releasing the valve and permitting it to move to closed position, the controlling mechanism, being accessible from the exterior of the device, may be restored to its normal position upon the insertion between the various operating parts oi any suitable stop means. For example,

` in some devices of this type, the parts may be held 1n normal position merely by inserting a nail or the like between the operating parts and without replacement or resetting of the heat responsive element. In otherV devices of this type, the parts may be held in normal position by tying or Wiring the operating parts to the casing in such a Way that the valve will beheld open or in normal position. With the parts restored to normal positio-n in either manner discussed above, there is of course no heat responsive element in the mechanism and the backfire preventer Will not function upon the occurrence of a high temperature in the line and, obviously, serious damage may result.

The principal object of the invention is to guard against the danger oi accidental ignition of the gas on the burner side and the running back of the llame to the generating or mixing plant.

Another object of the invention is to provide a very simple and durable means by which, in the event of flame or undesirably high, dangerous temperature occurring in a conduit or pipe line for combustible fuel, the supply vof fuel or iiow 5 thereof through the pipe line will be automatically cut ofi. f

A further object is to provide a construction in which the parts, such as the control valve, `flame interrupting means, etc., may be readily removed c and replaced if necessary or if deemed desirable,

without disarranging any of the other parts of the mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a lire check which is so constructed Awhich is entirely within a casing, which casing is included in the pipe line, and in which there are no projecting parts whereby the apparatus may be accidentally disarranged or rendered inoperative. 15

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through an embodiment of the present invention, said 20 section being substantially on the line I-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 isa longitudinal section substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse section substantially 25 on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 1 illustrating a slightly modied form of the invention, being a section substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 5. 30

Figure 5 is a section substantially on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective detail of one of the flame interrupting means detached.

Figure 7 is a detail of the valve lever anchoring 35 means detached.

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another form of my device taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 9.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken 40 on the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a detailed sectional view of the fusible or heat responsive element used in the device illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, and

Figure 11 is a detail perspective showing the 45 manner of assembling the heat responsive and operating members of the Figure 8 form of my device.

Referring to the construction shown in Figures 1 to '7, in which some of the parts are shown more 50 or less diagrammatically, l designates a suitable casing which is provided at opposite ends with an inlet 2 and outlet 3 shown as being internally threaded so that they may be readily connected and form part of a combustible iluid transporting line adapted to connect a suitable source of supply with a burner or burners.

Interiorly, the casing I is divided by suitable partitions to provide inlet and outlet passages communicating, respectively, with the inlet 2 and outlet 3, and a valve 4 is adapted to cooperate with a suitableseat formed in such partition to control the flow of fuel through the casing.

As is customary, the valve 4 is of the self-closing type, being subjected to the pressure of a spring 5 which tends to hold it against its seat and in a position to cut off oW of fuel from the inlet 2 to the outlet 3 of the casing.

As shown, the stem 6 of the valve 4 extends through the valve seat and an abutment or projection 'l thereon is in contact with a fork provided on one arm of a lever fulcrumed Within the casing and the other arm 9 of which extends into the outlet passage of the casing toward the outlet 3.

Within the casing, and relatively adjacent the outlet 3, there is arranged a suitable anchor or means for normally holding the lever 9 in such position that the Valve 4 will be retained, against the action of its spring 5, in the open position illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.

Various forms of such lever anchoring means may be provided, it merely being essential that such means shall be of a nature to be rendered inoperative in event of the temperature in the passage, in which such means is arranged, exceeding a predetermined amount.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the lever anchoring means comprises an externally threaded sleeve 20 and a pin or stem 2| that extends through the sleeve 2B and at its inner end bears upon the arm 9 of the lever which may, as shown, be expanded as at I0. The sleeve 20 and rod 2| are rigidly connected at the inner end of the sleeve 2|), by suitable solder 22 or other material which will melt when exposed to a predetermined temperature as shown in Figure 7.

Means are provided for interrupting the passage of flame through the outlet passage of the casing between the valve 4 and the outlet 3. As shown, such means consists of one or more closely wound bodies of metal gauze or ne wire, each arranged within a tubular shell 25, which is provided at one end with a thread 26 by which it may be detachably e-ngaged with a threaded portion of an inner wall or partition of the casing I.

The number `and relative location of said flame interrupting means may vary according to the size or capacity of the casing I.

As shown, the several flame interrupting cylinders 25 are accessible through an opening in a side wall of the casing I, which is normally tightly closed by a removable cap 30.

If it is desired to inspect or remove one or more of the flame interrupters, the cap 3|] can be readily disengaged from the casing and any one of the cylinders 25 easily disconnected from its support within the casing. To assist in such removal or replacement of the flame interrupting means, a cross pin or bar 2l is provided adjacent one end of each cylindrical housing 25 and also notches 28 are shown as being pro-vided in the outer end of such housing, which may be engaged by a suitable spanner or similar tool.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figures 4 and 5, only a singleV flame checking cylinder 25 is employed and the area of the removable closure 30 is much smaller than in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, in which three flame interrupting means are positioned between the valve 4 and the casing outlet.

The valve 4 is adaptfed to be inserted in and removed from the casing through an aperture closed by a removable cap 4U, and the spring 5, as shown, surrounds an inwardly projecting recessed stud on such cap within which the outer end of the valve stern 6 is guided.

It is believed that the manner of using, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description in connection with the drawings.

It will be seen that the invention provides a very simple and inexpensive construction which may be readily inserted in a combustible fuel pipe line and that the self-closing valve 4 will be normally maintained in open position.

It will be seen that, when the casing is connected into a combustible fuel pipe line and the parts are in the relative positions shown in the drawings, gas or other fuel will ow freely from the inlet 2 through the valve controlled passage and the outlet 3 to the burner or burners.

En event of combustion occurring in the outlet passage which raises the temperature thereof to an undesirable degree and above that of the melting point of the fusible connection between the sleeve 29 and rod 2| of the lever anchor means, or the presence of a flame in the vicinity of such anchor, the solder 22 will melt and the tension of the spring 5 will immediately rock the lever into the position shown in dotted lines in Figures l and 4. Thereby the valve 4 will be immediately seated and further flow of fuel from the inlet to the outlet passage of the casing be interrupted.

An important feature of the improvements is that all of the parts thereof are Within the casing and are enclosed so that they are not likely to be accidentally disarranged or damaged. While the rod 2| of the lever anchoring means is shown i as normally projecting slightly beyond the outer end of the sleeve 20, such projection is unnecessary and the outer end of the rod may terminate within the body of said sleeve.

The sleeve 2|) being in threaded engagement with the passage in the casing, can be easily' initially adjusted into the exact position which will cause the anchor pin 2| to properly engage the lever arm 9.

The length of the lever arm 9 will depend upon the size of the embodiment of the invention in which it is used and is such that the anchor means therefor will be at the most suitable point with relation to the outlet 3 and the flame interrupting means. As shown in Figure 1, where a plurality of flame interrupters are provided, the end of the lever arm 9 is relatively close to the outlet 3, Whereas in the smaller apparatus illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the anchor for the lever arm is in substantial alignment with the llame interrupter.

It will be seen that the heat responsive device may be of very simple and inexpensive construction so that if deemed advisable replacements can be readily effected.

In the form of invention shown in Figures 8 to 1l, the numeral IGI designates a suitable casing which is provided at opposite ends with an inlet |02 and outlet |03 each of which is internally threaded so that they may be readily connected and form part of a combustible fluid transporting line adapted to connect a suitable source of supply with a burner or burners.

The interior of the casing |0| is divided by a suitable partition wall |04 to provide inlet and outlet passages i communicating; respectively, with the inlet H32 and outlet |03 and a valve HB5 is adapted to cooperate with a suitable seat H36 formed in the partition |04 to control the flow of fuel through the casing.

I'he valve its is of the self-closing type, being subjected to the pressure of a spring |01 which tends to move it against the seat It@ and in a position to cut ofi" flow of fuel from the inlet |02 to the outlet ist of the casing. Asshown in Figure 8, the stem lii of the valve |05 extends through the valve seat Miti and an abutment or projection ills thereon is in contact with a fork provided on one arm lil of a lever fulcrurned upon the partition wall IM. The other arm H2 of the lever extends along the outlet passage of the casing toward the outlet |03.

Within the casing, and relatively adjacent the outlet m3, there is arranged a suitable anchor or means for normally holding the lever lli in such position that the valve H33 will be held in the open position illustrated in Figure 8, against the action of spring |01.. i

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated,

and as best shown in Figure 11, the lever anchor ing means comprises a link or hook It provided at one end with an aperture |||l which `isritted over a pin H5 projecting from the inner Wall of the casing lili. The other end of the link ||3 is provided with a head H6 and, in the normal osition of the device, this end of the link is ritted in a notch 'l il in the end of the arm H2 or the lever so that the head Ht will hold the lever in such position that the valve m5 will be held open. The head H5 is soldered to the link llt so that it will break away from the link its in case the fuel in the outlet passage is ignited or if the temperature within the outlet passage should rise to a predetermined degree from any other cause. The release of head HS irorn the hook H3 will cause the spring itl to move the valve to closed position, thereby cutting off the flow of fuel through the casing lui.

Means are provided for interrupting the passage of arne through the outlet passage of the casing between the valve |05 and the outlet H33. As shown, such means consists of one or more closely wound bodies il@ of metal gauze or fine wire, each arranged within a tubular shell |29 which is provided at one end with a thread |2| by which it may be detachably engaged in a threaded aperture |22 through an inner wall or partition |23 which extends across the outlet passage oi the casing Il. The several flame interrupting cylinders MB are accessible through an opening in the side wall of the casing IBI, which opening is normally tightlyv clbsed by ren movabie cap |24. If Ait is desired Ato inspect or remove one or more of the name interrupters, the cap l2@ can be readily disengaged from the casing and the cylinder HS may then be readily disconnected from its support within the casing. To assist in such removal or replacement of the rlame interrupting means, a cross pin or bar |25 is providedy adjacent one end of each cylindrical housing 112i and notches |26 are also provided in the outer end of the shell l2! and these may be engaged by a suitable Spanner or similar tool. It will be understood that the number of flame interrupters may be varied in accordance with the size of the casing.

The number and relativelocation of the flame interrupting means may vary according to the size or capacity of the casing Nil. The valve |35 is adapted to be inserted in and removed from thecasing ||l| through an aperture |21 closed by a removable cap |26 and the spring |01, as shown, surrounds an inwardly projecting recessed stud on the cap within which the outer end of the valve stern iil'l is guided.

A removable cover plate |29 is provided on the Lipper side of the casing ||l| and the arm ||2 of the lever Iii and the link H3 are only accessible When this cover plate is removed.

The mode of operation and advantages of the form of my invention shown in Figures 8 to 11 will be apparent from the description given in connection with Figures 1 to '7.

When a sufficiently high temperature occurs in the outlet passage to release the head ||6 from the link H3, it will be necessary to remove the cover plate |23 from the casing to insert a new link, or to re-solder the head M6 upon the link previously used. In other words, the attendant cannot move the valve to normal open position nor insert some means to hold it in open position without removing the cover plate and, if the cover plate is removed, the simplest procedure will be to replace or repair the link.

It will be observed that the devices of the present invention are so constructed that they maybe arranged at any angle or position in a pipe line without aiiecting their operation. The devices differ in this respect from safety controls for fuel tanks which must, in almost every instance, be arranged at a predetermined angle or in a predetermined position.

An important eature of the invention, as hereinbefore pointed out, is that it provides for ready removal, and replacement, if necessary, of the flame interrupting means. It will be seen that to effect this, it is merely necessary to detach the caps or closures 3D and |24 when the cyline der-shaped holders 25 and |25! will bereadily accessible and can be readily detached. Such replacement does not require any disconnection of the casing from the pipe line or any disarrangement of any of the other parts.

The present invention is not in any Way limited to the particular constructions of the lever anchoring means shown, as obviously there can be considerable variation in this regard without departing from the invention. Other forms of lever anchoring means than the particular ones selected for purposes of illustration, may be substituted, and it is, of course, to be understood that except where speciiically required by the appended claims, the invention is not to be understood as being limited to the exact arrangement or construction -of parts shown.

I claim:

1. In a fire check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages, a self-closing valve within the casing between said passages, a lever Within the casing having one arm connected with the valve, a heat responsive device in the outlet passage of the casing cooperating with said lever to normally hold the valve in open position, and iiame interrupting means within the casing between the valve and said heat responsive device.

2. In a iire check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet pas/sages respectively adapted to communicate With the adjoining ends of a pipe line, a self-closing valve within the casing between said passages, a lever pivoted within the casing having one arm connected with the valve, a heat responsive device in the outlet passage of the casing cooperating with the other arm of said lever to normally hold the valve in open position, and flameV interrupting means within the casing between the valve and said heat responsive device, said llame interrupting means being bodily removable as a unit from the casing.

3. In a fire check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages and an aperture formed in a side wall, a self-closing valve within the casing between said passages, a heat responsive device in the outlet passage for normally holding said valve in open position, flame interrupting means within the casing between the outlet and the valve and bodily removable through said aperture in the side Wall of the casing, and a detachable closure for said aperture.

4. In a lire check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages therein, a partition wall adapted to separate the passages, the partition wall including a portion extending longitudinally of the casing, flame interrupting means removably mounted in the longitudinally extending portion of the partition wall, the outer wall of the casing being provided with a normally closed aperture to permit the ame interrupting means to be bodily removed therethrough, the partition wall having a valve port therein, a self-closing valve to control the port, a heat responsive device in the outlet passage of the casing, and means within the casing and controlled by the heat responsive device for normally holding the valve in open position.

5. In a fire check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages therein, a partition wall adapted to separate the passages, the partition wall including a portion extending longitudinally of the casing, flame interrupting means removably mounted in the longitudinally extending portion of the partition wall, the casing outer Wall being provided with a normally closed aperture to permit the ilame interrupting means to be bodily removed therethrough, the partition wall having a valve port therein, a self-closing valve to control the port, a heat responsive device in the outlet passage of the casing, means Within the casing and controlled by the heat responsive device for knormally holding the valve in open position, and a normally closed aperture in the wall of the casing opposite the valve to permit the valve to be bodily removed therethrough.

6. In a re check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages, a self-closing valve within the casing between said passages, a lever Within the casing having one arm connected with the valve, and a heat responsive link positioned entirely Within the casing 'and connecting one arrn of said lever with the interior wall portion of the casing to hold the valve in open position, and llame interrupting means positioned between said valve and said link.

7. In a fire check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages, a self-closing valve Within the casing between said passages, a lever within the casing having one arm engaged with the valve, said casing including an aperture in one wall thereof provided with a removable closure, a member fixed to the interior Wall of the casing adjacent the aperture and the other arm of said lever, a heat responsive link connected adjacent one end with one arm of said lever and adjacent its other end with said member, and flame interrupting means positioned between said valve and said link.

8. In a re check for combustible fuel pipe lines, the combination of a casing having inlet and outlet passages, a partition wall arranged to separate the passages, the partition wall having a valve port therein, a self-closing Valve to control the port, a rocker shaft journalled in said partition wall, said shaft having one arm extending therefrom within the casing and connected with said valve within the casing and another arm extending therefrom within the outlet passage, heat responsive means within the outlet passage and engaging the arm of said rocker shaft Within such passage to normally hold the valve open, and ila-me interrupting means removably mounted in the partition wall between said valve and said heat responsive means.

WILLIAM H. VAN HORN. 

